Chapter Four
THE BALL HOSTED BYthe Marquess of Foxborough in honor of his wife’s birthday appeared to be a smashing success. Standing with her mother, Sarah watched the quadrille that was currently underway. It was two weeks since she’d walked out of Brunswick’s house. Two weeks of indecision and turmoil during which she’d struggled with her desire to try and help him. If she were smart, she’d focus more of her time and energy on the rabbit she’d rescued a few days ago. She’d spotted the animal during a walk in Hyde Park. It had been lying under a bush along one of the walkways. When she’d crouched for a closer inspection, she’d noticed the injured hind leg covered in blood. It wasn’t until she’d brought it home and gotten it cleaned up that she’d seen the teeth marks. From a runaway dog or a fox.
Sarah glanced around the sparkling ballroom. Every man her mother had invited to that blasted garden party was in attendance. None had asked her to dance. In fact, all appeared to be making a very deliberate effort to avoid eye contact with her.
With an inward sigh she turned to her mother. “Will you still love me if I never marry?”
“Of course. It wouldn’t do for your father and me to let all our children go anyway. We need one of you to care for us in our dotage.” She gave Sarah a cheeky smile. “Of course, we did imagine Athena would do so, but we’ll be just as happy with you, dearest.”
Sarah rolled her eyes and nudged her mother’s arm with her elbow. “You’re too hard on her, Mama. Athena has blossomed into a wonderful woman you ought to be proud of.”
“I am proud of her.” Sarah’s mother looked aghast. “Whyever would you think I’m not?”
“Because you always make those little comments - the ones suggesting no man will ever want her, that where she goes scandal will surely follow. It’s really not fair.”
Sarah’s mother pressed her lips together firmly. Contrition tightened her features. “You’re right. I suppose it’s become a bad habit.”
“Well, I think it needs to stop. Athena hears you, you know. She’s not deaf. And although she doesn’t talk about it, I’m fairly sure she thinks you believe she was wrong to stop Charles’s wedding.”
“It did cause a bit of a stir.”
“To be sure. But in the end things worked out for the better. We can all agree on that, can we not?”
Her mother smiled. “You’ve a good head on your shoulders, Sarah. I only wish all these foolish men could see how lucky they’d be with you as their wife.”
“Maybe it’s just as well,” Sarah mused. “In truth, I’m not sure they’d be interesting enough for me.”
“But the duke is?”
“Certainly, though not necessarily in a good way.” Her mood dimmed as she thought back on her last encounter with him. “He’s troubled. So much so I’m not sure I can help.”
“Time will tell, I suppose.”
Provided she ever saw him again.
“Oh, I see Viscountess Ruthridge over there, “Mama said. “Haven’t spoken to her in an age. Shall we go and greet her together?”
A vision of herself as her mother’s lady companion years from now clicked into place. Was this what it would be like? Would she always remain on the edge of things, looking at all the fun being had in the middle while resigning herself to the company of older ladies? She’d never been the outgoing one. That role belonged to Athena. Instead, she was quiet and reserved, always waiting for the right man to sweep her into his arms and fall madly in love with her.
Honestly. She was too old for such fanciful nonsense.
Though not old enough to completely lose hope.
“You go ahead, Mama.” Being a wallflower wasn’t so bad. She liked people-watching and the vantage point was better here than it would be on the opposite side of the room. Or so she told herself. “I think I shall stay here a while longer. The refreshment table is closer and I’ve been eyeing some of the sandwiches.”
“Very well.” Her mother looked across the dance floor. “Your brothers and sisters-in-law will soon be finished anyway, so you won’t lack company for long.”
Sarah knew she meant well, but the comment and what it implied still grated. Nevertheless, she forced a smile, gave a small nod, and watched her mother drift away with her billowing emerald organza skirts trailing behind. Fanning herself, Sarah cast a gaze back to the dance floor. She was secretly glad she wasn’t out there. This particular dance was taking forever. The soles of her feet would have been worn out by now if she’d joined the set.
Thank God no one had asked.
“Miss Townsbridge?” a footman inquired.
She stared at him blankly, then slowly nodded.
He discreetly gave her a note and said, “This is for you,” before stepping away and disappearing into the crowd.
Sarah glanced at the folded piece of paper. She’d never received such a mysterious note before. Unfolding it, she read the brief message.
